Come to NSSN conference
THE BEGINNING of 2009 saw workers burst onto the scene with a big strike at Lindsey Oil Refinery. Hundreds of construction workers broke the vicious anti-trade union laws, organised a strike from the grassroots – and won. Keith Gibson, one of the strike committee leaders, is supporting the National Shop Stewards Network (NSSN) conference on 27 June by attending it to speak about the strike.
In February the Belfast Visteon workers, so angry at their high-handed instant dismissal, occupied their factory simply to get justice. Their convenor John Maguire will be telling his story; so too the convenors of Basildon and Enfield Visteon; plus (hopefully) a French car workers’ leader.
In May, Rob Williams, union convenor of Linamar, was sacked. Now, after a massive vote for an all-out strike, the campaign for re-instatement is really kicking off. Rob and other car workers will be making their way to London for this grassroots trade union gathering to share the experiences of their campaign so far.
Post office workers fighting privatisation and bullying management, cleaners battling ruthless sweat-shop bosses, young people fighting just to get a job – all are looking forward to getting together to trumpet our victories, learn the lessons of fellow workers and carry on this bold tradition into further battles, like on the London Underground and in the post office.
So, if you want to be part of action, be there at the Shop Stewards Network conference. Also, get your friends and workmates along.
Linda Taaffe, NSSN secretary
NSSN conference details
Saturday 27 June at South Camden Community School, Charrington Street, London NW1.
